Greatest Speeches in Broadway/Theater History?

Ok, so I need a great speech in history for school, and I want one that has to do with theater, because guess what? I like theater. Unfortunately, I haven?t chose one, and I was wondering if anyone of you here knows one?
The speech must have some sort of impact (long term/short).

If you can please link to the speech (text preferably.)

Updated On: 9/14/09 at 08:49 PM

cool, I'm googling it, but not coming up with the text of the speech. anywhere I could find it?

Ha! yes found it!

Although I adore Sondheim, I'm looking for something with more length, or different, to keep my options open. The speech doesn't have to be an acceptance speech and can be contemporary.

Hamlet's advice to the players. Unless you want something contemporary.

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You're going to have a hard time finding an actual speech about theater. My suggestion is to look at the book "Audition" by Michael Shurtleff. Although it's a book mostly on the craft of acting, he says some very insightful things about the life of an actor. I was just looking at it again today. I think one of my favorite quotes of all time is "Most actors make themselves unhappy by searching for sanity, by insisting on their normalcy; it's a grave mistake. The life of an actor is a bit easier to take if you admit you're bonkers."

It's a very famous book and usually can be found in the drama section of any major bookstore, and can surely be found at any decent library.

A great speech in history about theater? That made an impact? Not too many people get behind a rallying cry over entertainment.

We're not going to be marching on DC to get a national theater going.


Usually when assignments like this are made it is expected that the speech is something more in lines of change in the world or country: think MLK's I Have a Dream. (Not that I'm suggesting it, just using it as a point of reference.) These speeches are usually political since it is about CHANGING what exists. (Not to say that the orator is running for political office.)

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To be or not to be

Sorry for not being specific, it cant be a fictional speech.
And the impact doesn't have to be grand, for instance someone in my class is doing a speech on something that Keith Olbermann had said. The speech can be about something in the theater community that affected it, not just the entertainment aspect.

Sorry if I'm coming off as annoying. I am also doing my part and googling like crazy.

the problem with theatrical speeches -

when a theatre artist has something to say, they don't make a speech. they make theatre. that's why you're so hard pressed to find anything.

i like the idea of a eulogy for a playwright.

"You either have it... Stop stop stop stop stop taking pictures right now. You heard the announcement, who do you think you are? Get 'em out. How dare you. Who do you think you are? Get them out. I won't continue if they're taking pictures. Get 'em out. Turn the lights on, they're right back there. Three times. Three times you took a picture. You heard the announcement in the beginning, you heard the announcement at intermission, who do you think you are? This is the theatre. Thank you, alright, so you know what we're gonna do? I have to say this. I have to say this: We have forgotten our public manners. And we have forgotten that we are in a community, and this is the theatre. And all of you, every single one of you except for that person, has respect. And I, and the rest of this company appreciate it. Thank you."